Will the Highlands board be found liable for pastors alleged criminal behavior?
The Church of the Highlands Board, which includes members Robert Morris, Larry Stockstill, Rick Bezet, Greg Surratt, and Tom Mullins, has been accused of failing to investigate or hold pastors Chris Hodges and Dino Rizzo accountable for criminal conduct allegations in a Federal Lawsuit. If Hodges and Rizzo are found liable, will the board be complicit?
In general, if a board is aware of criminal allegations against one of its pastors or members and fails to take appropriate action, they could potentially be held liable for negligence or complicity depending on the specific circumstances and laws governing such situations. It is crucial for organizations to thoroughly investigate any allegations of misconduct and address them promptly and responsibly.
It is worth noting that two of the Highlands board members, Rick Bezet and Greg Surratt, are also board members of the ARC. They have accepted the criminal allegations against them as true, by pleading ecclesiastical abstention in the federal lawsuit. This situation raises serious questions about the accountability of church boards when faced with potential criminal conduct and the conflict of interest that may arise in such cases. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
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